One of the wonderful things about Thanksgiving is that you can extend the festivities by getting creative with leftovers in the days following the big feast.

In fact, the food that you worked so hard to prepare will taste better when you are hungry again.

Turkey is no exception. Although turkey breast meat is a healthful source of protein when you remove the skin and keep the gravy on the side, portion size is still key. When filling up your plate, keep in mind the Agriculture Department’s recommendation is 5-6 1/2 ounces of meat or other protein source per day for adults who aren’t getting the recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day (that’s more than half of us).

As you look for ways to use turkey leftovers, remember that there’s more out there than that boring turkey sandwich. Try this rich and creamy casserole that has been given a guilt-free makeover. It features leftover turkey and butternut squash. Select white meat over dark if you are looking to cut back on calories and saturated fat. (Dark meat is higher in fat, but it provides important nutrients such as iron, zinc and several B vitamins.)

Traditional turkey tetrazzini is loaded with butter, cheese, heavy cream, refined flour and bread crumbs. This recipe skips those ingredients and focuses on the white-meat turkey and loads of vegetables including mushrooms, peas, onions and butternut squash.

The squash is especially important, providing a creamy, thick sauce that one expects with turkey tetrazzini. Butternut squash has the word “butter” in it for a reason! Though decadent, it also packs a lot of nutrients including fiber, potassium, magnesium and vitamins A and C.

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